Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/v6pzU4nlni8   Pediatricians from children’s hospitals across the US just published their study of 186 children in 26 states who developed so-called MIS-C.     This disease is uncommon, 2 in 100,00, and begins 2-4 weeks after CoVid infection. Median age was 8.2 years, 62% were boys, and 70% tested CoVid19 positive.There was gastrointestinal inflammation in 92%, cardiovascular issues in 80% with coronary artery aneurysms in up to 20%, blood disease in 76%, skin or mucous membrane disease in 74%, and lung consequences in 70%.  Eighty percent went to the ICU, 20% needed vents, and 2% died.   For treatment, 77% received immune globulin, 49% received steroids, and 20% received cytokine suppression therapy.   https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2021680?query=C19&cid=DM94780_NEJM_Registered_Users_and_InActive&bid=222612563   https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2023158   #covid #misc #kawasaki  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/F6n9dM7ZsYY   Those who weather CoVid19, become virus negative but then subsequently test positive tend to be younger, sicker, and less immune to CoVid than those who remain negative.  A Chinese study, just released on sthe pre-print server medrixiv.org compared 15 such patients with 107 non-recurrent controls.   Their data showed that the rate of recurrent positivity is just 1.87%.  The those relapsing were 28% younger, their hospitalizations were 40% longer, their time to testing negative test 33% longer, and their their IgG antibody levels were 53% lower.   South Koreans suggest that the recurrent test positivity may be due to dead virus fragments and not an infection relapse.  Stay tuned.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.02.20144873v1.full.pdf   http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200429000724     #covid #recurrent #relapse

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/7k46Q_wHFwc   Emptying every middle seat on an otherwise full airliner will cut your risk of contracting CoVid19 by 50%.  This conclusion comes to us from MIT’s Sloan School of  Management.   For details of the math, check out Professor Arnold Barnett’s online preprint.  He crunched the numbers using the coach section stats of the ubiquitous Airbus 320 and Boeing 737.  With every seat full, your risk of getting CoVid is 1/7,000 but leaving the center seats empty drops that risk to 1/14,000.   Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, and Alaska are keeping their center seats open as recommended by Dr. Anthony Fauci and the CDC’s Dr. Robert Redfield.  The other airlines (cash register sound).   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.07.02.20143826v1.full.pdf   https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/933277   #covid #flying #centerseat

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/EtaQeeSLgV4   The FDA and Garland Ventures Ltd are recalling Five Cheese Stuffed Shells.  This product is potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  This microorganism can cause a severe or sometimes fatal infection in the very young, elders, the frail, or those with immune disorders.  If you have this product, do not consume it but return it to the place of purchase for a complete refund.  For more information, contact the company at 1-972-795-5313.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/garland-ventures-ltd-voluntary-recalls-five-cheese-stuffed-shells-because-possible-health-risk   #recall #cheeseshells #listeria  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/OTKBnG-4sJk   There is a direct correlation between mask-wearing in a country and the the numbers of CoVid19 cases.  Epidemiologists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong report this finding based on their analysis of global CoVid statistics and the Google Trends relative search volume on the topic of face masks.   The researchers show that the higher the online interest of that country’s population is about face masks, the lower the average daily number of CoVid cases in that country.  Vietnam and Hong Kong with the highest online mask buzz put countries like the US, Russia, the UK, and France with low mask interest to shame when it comes to CoVid control.   Let’s mask up and change that.   https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1164/rccm.202004-1188LE   #covid #masks #google #trending  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/aJjQSnjvQXI   Fewer than 1% of patients recovering from CoVid19 produce the highest concentrations of virus neutralizing antibodies.  A just-published study from New York’s Rockefeller University analyses the antibodies from 149 recovered CoVid patients and controls.   The quantity of CoVid neutralizing IgG antibodies were measured at 39 days following each subject’s onset of symptoms.  The concentration of useful antibody was less than 1:1000 in 79% of subjects.   The conclusion is that most CoVid19 infections induce only a moderate protective antibody response.  They also create T-cell immunity, and we hope that such energized killer cells may confer lasting CoVid immunity.  For now protect yourself with masking, distancing, washing.   https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2456-9_reference.pdf   #covid #antibodies #covidimmunity  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/brZGskRn4rc   A large Scottish study now reports that low Vitamin D levels show no association with risk of severe CoVid19 infection or mortality.  Researchers at The University of Glascow just pre-published this conclusion following their analysis of 656 CoVid patient case reports documented the the UK Biobank.   At first glance, the unadjusted numbers suggested that Vitamin D deficiency might trigger a greater susceptibility of CoVid.  A deeper data dive acquitted Vitamin D while indicting advancing age, male gender, socio-economic disadvantage, obesity, and diabetes.   You do want normal Vitamin D levels to maintain strong bones and normal vital organ functioning.  Just know that taking extra will not improve your CoVid odds.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.26.20140921v1.full.pdf   #covid #vitamind  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/9wgfNdAQbp4   One in every four air samples from a hospital air handler contained detectable CoVid19 RNA.  University of Oregon investigators report this finding after sampling hospital air at various stages of recirculation and filtration.   A full 35% of samples from pre-filters, where recirculated and outside air entered the system, had viral RNA.  Even with filtration, 20% of samples at outlet air vents were positive.   This typical hospital system can only filter down to a MERV15 specification removing micro-organisms larger than 1 micron but permitting viruses to pass.  As we repopulate public spaces including theaters, restaurants, and airplanes, you will need your own HEPA filtration masks to remain safe. Buy or make them now.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.26.20141085v1.full.pdf   #covid #masks #hvac #theaters #airplanes #restaurants    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/oktP81p0wh8   CoVid was detectable in the wastewater of Milan and Turin a full 2 months before the first known case of the novel coronavirus surfaced in Lombardy.  Researchers at the Italian National Institute of Health draw this surprising conclusion after testing wastewater samples from various Italian cities gathered as far back as September, 2018.   The first CoVid-positive samples appeared on December 18th in Milan and Turin and on January 29th in Bologna.  The first Italian case of CoVid was identified in Lombardy on February 21st.   These findings are a testimony to hyper-infectious nature of this disease and to the fact that many are infected without even knowing it.  Mask, distance, wash.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.25.20140061v1.full.pdf   #covid #wastewater #italy  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/lFLL_IWAY4k   When men contract CoVid19, they mount a less robust T cell defense than women, generate more harmful inflammatory cytokines than women, and suffer more severe clinical consequences than women.  These conclusions come from a Yale study of 93 CoVid patients just published by the online pre-print server medrixiv.com.    The researchers also found that the incidence of poorly protective anti-virus T cell populations and dangerous inflammatory agents increase with advancing age in men but not women.  This adverse immune pattern also increased with excessive body weight in men but not in women.   Bottom line: guys should be extra cautious not to contract the virus.  That means responsible mask wearing, distancing, and washing.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.06.20123414v2.full.pdf   #covid #menshealth #tcells #cytokinestorm  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/PUWk-Z2ImlY   The FDA and Saniderm Products have recalled Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer.  These 1 liter bottles contain poisonous methanol, better known as wood alcohol.  Methanol exposure can produce permanent blindness, seizures, coma, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms.  Using the product on the hands is dangerous, but children accidentally ingesting it would be most at risk.  Apparently, only the lots of this product manufactured in Mexico are at risk, but this situation is so dangerous, I would return any of this hand sanitizer to the point of purchase.  If you require more information, call Saniderm at 1-415-562-5502.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/saniderm-products-voluntarily-issues-regional-virginia-maryland-new-jersey-recall-1-l-saniderm   #recall #sanitizer #saniderm #methanol #woodalcohol  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/cjV9hwsKi84   The FDA and Beyond Foods LLC are recalling Enlightened Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream.  This product may contain undeclared milk.  If you purchased this product, don’t eat it but instead return it to the point of purchase for a complete refund.  For additional information, call the company at 1-800-819-2998.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/beyond-better-foods-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-mislabeled-chocolate-peanut-butter   #recall #peanutbuttericecream #icecream #milk  

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/tZTsdkTcrXI   The FDA and the Azar Nut Co. are recalling 7-Select Yogurt Pretzels.  This product may contain undeclared peanuts.  If peanut-allergic persons consume these pretzels, they may develop serious or life-threatening anaphylactic reactions.  If you have this product, return it to the point of purchase for a refund.  If you have questions, contact the company at 1-800-351-8178.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mount-franklin-foods-llc-dba-azar-nut-company-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-peanuts-7-select   #recall #yogurtpretzels #pretzels #7select #peanuts      

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/BZyd7ZmKGWk   The FDA and Golden Nutrition Inc. are recalling Anti-Viral Immune Enhancement Capsules.  The label includes unsubstantiated health claims that this product fightS coronavirus and influenza. The product is chiefly sold in Puerto Rico, but you may find it in the states as well.   If you bought this product, return it to the store for a complete refund.  If you have questions, contact the company by calling 1-786-660-0298.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/golden-nutrition-inc-recalls-anti-viral-immune-enhancement-because-labels-are-not-compliance   #recall #immuneenhancement #covid #influenza  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/P_4fV4Bdx0k   The FDA and Flagstone Foods LLC are recalling NorthStar Sweet and Salty Caramel Trail Mix.  This product contains undisclosed cashew nuts.  Those who are cashew-allergic may develop a severe or life-threatening reaction if they consume this confection.  This product was distributed nationally at military PXs.  If you bought this product, return it to the point of purchase for a complete refund. For more information, contact Janet Collins at the company by calling 1-612-222-3857.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/flagstone-foods-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-north-star-sweet-salty-caramel-trail-mix-due-undeclared   #recall #caramels #cashews  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/BsF7I8pQXEo   The FDA, Hy-Vee,Inc., ALDI, Fresh Express, and Signature Farms are recalling bagged garden salads.  This product from all of these companies contains possible Cyclospora contamination.  This issue came to light during an outbreak of cyclospora in the upper midwestern US.  This micro-organism produces food poisoning with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and low grade fever. Those in poor health or with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.  If you purchased these products, do not consume them but return them to the store for a refund.  You may reach Hy-Vee Customer Care at 1-800-772-4098, ALDI at 1-800-242-5472, Fresh Express at 1-800-242-5472, or Jewel-Osco the seller of Signature Farms at 1-877-723-3929.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hy-vee-recalls-12-oz-hy-vee-garden-salad-product-after-supplier-notes-potential-cyclospora   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-sa

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/-E8gieD1QCI   The FDA and Trident Seafoods are recalling Gordon Choice Imitation Crab Supreme Style.  This product may contain undeclared egg whites.  Those with an egg white allergy may suffer a serious or even life-threatening allergic reaction.  This product has likely been been sold in your state.  If you purchased this food product, return it to the place of purchase for a refund.  If you have questions, contact Trident Seafoods at 1-866-413-4749.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/trident-seafoods-issues-voluntary-recall-undeclared-allergen-egg-white-product   #recall #imitationcrab #crab #eggwhites  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/uz-XLjGsUkE   The CPSC and the Costaway Company have recalled 3 models of Costaway Double Baby Strollers.  These strollers fail to meet federal safety standard for carriages and strollers.  A child may slip through the seat bottom and activity tray with head entrapment and possible strangulation.  The crotch restraint location creates a large opening through which the child may fall.  Immediately discontinue use of these strollers and contact the Costaway company at 844-242-1885 for a full refund and instructions regarding product return.  These strollers have been sold at costaway.com and amazon.com.    https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/Costway-Recalls-Baby-Strollers-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Stroller-and-Carriage-Safety-Standard-Fall-Entrapment-and-Strangulation-Hazards-Recall-Alert   #recall #stroller #parenting #strangulation #falls  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/F4z0AS3fv-Q   The CPSC and The Furniture Connexion are recalling the Modavar Forrest Live Edge Benches.  This bench is unstable and may tip over during use leading to falls and consumer injuries.  If you have one of these in your home, stop using it and contact the Furniture Connexion for a free repair kit.  For more information, reach the company at 1-971-420-8258.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/The-Furniture-Connexion-Recalls-Modavari-Forrest-Live-Edge-Benches-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards   #recall #bench #tipping   

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/bJEkyvGPnB8   The FDA and Fresh Express are recalling the Fresh Express Southwest Chopped Kit.  These products contain undeclared wheat, soy, cashews, and coconut.  Those with allergies to these items could develop a serious allergic reaction should they consume the contents of these kits.  This product has been distributed in AL, DE, FL, general anesthesia, KY, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV.  If you have this product, discard it.  You can obtain a refund through the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center by calling 1-800-242-5472.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fresh-express-announces-precautionary-recall-limited-quantity-southwest-chopped-kit-due-presence   #recall #freshexpress #saladkit #allergens